Vermont Cavers' Association

Spring NRO May 15, 16 & 17, 2009

Hosted by Vermont Cavers Association

Located in Leicester, Vermont. At Country Village Campground (3 miles North of Brandon on US Route 7). 43*50’41.07 N 73*06’22.14 W

Rodrick (Friday) 802-773-8767 Campground 802-247-3333

 NOTE: NEW TRIPS AND UPDATED INFORMATION !

• Items you may want to bring. Bicycle, canoe / kayak, hiking boots, cave gear, vertical cave gear, camera, field glasses
• There will be a self-guided trip to Aeolus to view in person the devastation of our bats here in the northeast. Aeolus is a 1 hour walk from the parking area. There will be a post trip discussion at 7PM before the auction.ALSO we are considering opening Weybridge Cave, the Pittsford Ice cave and the small non bat caves in the Middlebury / Brandon area. (Rimmond Cave, Anne Story Cave, Piper Crossing Cave, Johnson Pit and the Bristol Caves).
• There will be a pressure washer and decontamination center at the campground for any caving and the Aeolus trip.
• We are encouraging families and children. Our activities are at all levels with many things to do so everybody can participate in a weekend of fun.
• Registration will open 3PM Friday May 15^th

A tailored guidebook for self-guided trips can be printed on the spot just for you. ($ TBD)

• Camping $5.00 per night per person (children 6-12 $2.50)
• Add $10 extra for RV camping per weekend
• NRO base attendance fee $3.00
• Day passes (if not camping) $3.00

7AM  Breakfast by Steve Janesky. ($6)

• Speleobooks opens for business

9AM Led trips begin at sharp.

• Other activities at campground; volleyball, shuffleboard, mini-golf, horseshoes. 
• Vertical rope work: At the Falls of Lana. Practice your vertical skills and rock climbing. Bring your own gear and a rope to be sure we have enough. We will also have a zip line across the falls.

• Hiking: The area offers many trails, here are three suggestions
  • For the seasoned hiker; [weather dependent] enjoy the views from Battell and Breadloaf Mts. A serious 8 mile hike with significant elevation gain. Day packs, sturdy hiking boots, lunch, and 2 quarts of water strongly suggested. Bring your camera and binoculars [Leader Art Portmore].
  • For a moderate family hike, from the Falls of Lana around Moosalamoo / silver lake area. [Leader Joel Flewelling]
  • Abbey Pond; Distance (round trip): 4 miles 6 tenths, hiking time: 2 hours 30 minutes, vertical rise: 1,250 feet A half day hike to a ridge top pond; suitable for rainy weather. Special attractions:Pristine pond, cascading brook, and assorted wildlife. [A self guided hike]
• Canoeing / Kayaking:
  • A section of the Otter Creek with many road crossings so you choose how long you want to river paddle.
  • There are also many places to flat-water paddling. IE: Fern Lake, Richville Pond, Lake Dunmore, Goshen Dam,
  • if you really want the challenge; a 2 mile kayak carry to Silver lake (no cars or motor boats).
  • Art will lead a kayaking trip on Sunday if anyone is interested. (See Sunday’s Schedule
• Mountain Biking:
  • A 15-30 mile dirt road bike trip to many points of interest in the Brandon area. including the Forest Dale 1860’s iron furnace. [Leader Kathy Pingree]
  • Road trip or bike: A self guided 51 mile loop over 2 gaps with many points of interest along the way.

  • Waterfall guide: A self guided tour of up to 30 waterfalls in the area.

• Caving: Limited to non bat caves followed with cleaning by a pressure washer and decontamination procedures.

If you do not have your own kayak or bike you can rent in Rutland either at Eastern Mountain Sports ph# 802-773-9782 Great Outdoors Trading Co. ph# 802-775-9989 

5:00PM Saturday Dinner by NNJG ($9) 

7:00PM WNS update presentation (Future of our caving) & maybe a short film by Lea Nichols and/or slides on Ely mine by Randy Dickson

8:00PM Auction f.b.o. NCC; Auctioneer Nice Bob Addis 

• Bonfire (with marshmallows) Good for children during the auction, even a good game of flashlight tag.
• NNJG is looking into getting a band and a hot tub.

7AM  Breakfast  by NNJG ($5)

8:30AM  NRO meeting and election of officers

• NSS 2010 Convention planning meeting at conclusion of NRO meeting.
• For anybody not attending the NRO meeting / 2010 convention meeting.

**Many of our Saturday activities are available Sunday. Just ask!**

• Canoe or Kayak 6-8 miles on Lemonfair river or Otter Creek. This is a 4-6 hour trip and is not suitable for first time paddlers. The river will be beautiful and generally calm, but expect strong flow, log carryovers, and an occasional class-1 rapid. Depart NRO Registration at 9AM sharp with boats and gear on your car, ready to go. If you have to ask about a PFD, please choose another activity. [Leader Art Portmore]

• Don’t forget May can be black fly / tick season so bring plenty of bug spray

Rick Pingree / Vermont Cavers Association

Sunday, April 19, 9:00 AM - Regular Bi-Monthly VCA Meeting - Rutland Ambulance Service Building

9:00AM -- Regular Bi-Monthly VCA meeting held at Rutland Ambulance Service Building--located right behind Rutland Regional Medical Center, the classroom we meet in is in the far back corner. 

11:00AM -- After meeting activity April 19, 2009

We will have a 2010 Convention Meeting following our regular meeting-- Followed by doing a full Inventory of the Rescue Cache located at the Ambulance building.   

Steve Hazelton will be in charge of Chache Inventory.  For any questions email Steve at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it    

February 15 VCA Meeting and Underground Ice Skating Party

9AM Sunday, Feb. 15 will be our regular first-of-the-year VCA meeting, with election of officers for 2009.  Other agenda items include the latest on White Nose Syndrome, plans for our hosting an Orientation to Cave Rescue, spring NRO plans for Vermont, and the 2010 NSS Convention here in Vermont.

After meeting activity will be our famous Annual Underground Ice Skating Party, at the Freedlyville Quarry, East Dorset, VT.  A one mile moderate uphill walk on a snowmobile trail takes to you this beautiful spot with three football fields of clear ice that never needs shoveling.  Bring you camera, for the ice formations are spectacular, and the marble is beautiful.  Firewood, hotdogs, and a thermos of hot chocolate for a small campfire and camaraderie with a spectacular view of the Vermont (Metawee) Valley along Rte. 7. Don't forget your sled, skis, or snow tube for a cool ride back down to the car.

It's hard to predict exact times, but we will shoot for ending the meeting at 10:30 - 10:45, so should be able to rendezvous at the East Dorset General Store on US 7 north of Manchester at 11:30.  For detailed directions contact trip leader, Rick Pingree at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sunday, December 21, 9:00 AM - Regular Bi-Monthly VCA Meeting - Rutland Ambulance Service Building

Our final regular meeting of the year will feature cave videos and holiday refreshments. Bring your favorite fattening treat - you have January's vertical workshop to burn it off and get back to New England cave passage size. Agenda will also include trip reports, discussion of the White Nose Syndrome soil sampling project, nominations for 2009 officers, planning for the spring Orientation to Cave Rescue training and Spring NRO, plus an update on the 2010 NSS Convention.